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This symbol can be traced to around 1000 AD, during the Sung Dynasty, when a Confucian cosmological philosopher called Chou Tun-yi (Zhou Dunying) observed the cyclical relationship of all things. He saw this in the daily cycles of day and night, the phases of the moon, the changing of the seasons, in fact in every aspect of life. From his insights and meditations he designed the double fish configuration to represent these universal characteristics. The outer circle represents the universe (the word universe comes from the Latin for one turn). Within this are contained the light and dark whose interaction show the transmutation of contrasting yet cooperating energies. The white dot within the dark and the black dot within the light show that even at the heart of one there is the seed of the other all things contain within themselves the germ of their opposites. This does not imply dualism in the ordinary sense because there is always the underlying unity of Tao the all-embracing circle that gives rise to these mutually interdependent forces. And so, yin and yang are in actuality a harmonious unity, contrary yet complementary, like two Great Extremes that bound the immensity of space. The root meaning of the word yin is the shaded side of the hill or valley. In contrast the word yang comes from the sunny or south side.
1.
Draw a circle of any radius. Across its diameter, mark points A, B, C, D & E where C is the centre, A & E are on the circumference, and B & D are mid points between the centre and circumference. With the compass point on B, draw the right hand half of a circle (between C & A). With the compass point on D, draw the left hand half of a circle (between C & E). With the compass point on B & D, draw small circles the yin within yang and the yang within yin (the fishs eyes).
2.
3.
The origins of the spiral yin-yang are obscure but it is thought to predate the double fish configuration. Its principles are developed from spiral patterns that are amongst the earliest known marks made by humanity and found in rock carvings at many ancient sites.
1.
Draw a circle of any radius. Across its diameter mark points A, B, C, D & E as in the double fish configuration. Between A & D, draw the top half of a circle. Between B & E, draw the bottom half of a circle. Between B & C, draw the top half of a circle. Between C & D, draw the bottom half of a circle. With compass point on the same places as used to draw all the previous semi-circles, now draw two small circles (the embryos).
2. 3. 4.
Lais Yin-Yang
Yet another variation of the yin-yang symbol is attributed to a metaphysician from the Sung Dynasty (AD 960 1279) called Lai.
The central circle represents Wu Chi (nothingness / void) from which Tai Chi emerges and then returns. This version of the diagram also emphasises the spiralling nature of energy.
3.
Concentric Yin-Yang
Another fairly rare version of the yin-yang is one that uses concentric circles divided in half and alternating black and white to each side.
Some versions also have the centre circle split between black and white, whilst other versions keep this blank and so representing the pure seed from which all of creation is born. Where five concentric circles surround the inner circle this can be seen as the manifestation of the five elements (Earth, Metal, Water, Wood and Fire), each with their yin and yang aspects.
In-Yo Symbol
In Japan, the dual qualities of yin and yang are known as in and yo respectively. Inyodo, meaning The Way of Yin and Yang is Japanese feng shui. The in-yo symbol has a large circle that represents the universe. Within this and connecting with it at just one point, there is a smaller circle. The larger area is usually white or sliver, the smaller circle is red or occasionally black. When red, it reflects the image of the sun disc on the Japanese flag and the silver / white crescent is seen as representative of the moon. This symbol is used by some Japanese karate organisations. A variation of this symbol is where the white circle contains a black circle that contains a white circle that contains a black circle, implying that this goes on and on to infinity.
Tao Te Ching
Chapter 42 (Part)
The Tao begot one. One begot two. Two begot three. And three begot the ten thousand things.
The ten thousand things carry yin and embrace yang. They achieve harmony by combining these forces.
This can be interpreted as the Tao giving birth to the Universe (the One) which gives rise to Yin and Yang (the Two), whose interaction creates Energy / Chi (the Three) from which comes Everything (the Ten Thousand Things).
This same idea can be seen to be expressed geometrically in Western sacred art. Where two circles intersect, their shared area forms a vesica piscis or birth portal. In diagram H (1), the circle that encompasses the whole, represents the one. The smaller intersecting circles represent male& female / yin & yang the two. The resulting interplay of these gives birth to the three which when seen on its own as in diagram H (3) is seen as a fish shape and is often associated with Christ. This shape is much used in the architecture of cathedrals and in stained glass windows. In diagram H (2); a horizontal line is added that also divides the vesica piscis into its upward pointing yang aspect and its downward pointing yin aspect, signifying how the vulva gives birth to both male and female.
I Ching
Perhaps the simplest representations for yin - the great obscurity and yang - the great brightness, are those used in the I Ching. A broken and a solid line signify yin and yang respectively and these are combined in groups of three where the upper line represents Heaven, the lower line Earth and the middle line Humanity. The two types of line combined into groups of three make the eight possible trigrams.
Diagram ITrigrams
The flag of South Korea has a white background with a yin-yang symbol in blue and red, where blue is yin and red is yang. In Korea, yin and yang are referred to as um and yang and the symbol is surrounded by the trigrams of the four primary directions. These trigrams are: upper left heaven; lower right earth; lower left fire; upper right water. 6
Summary
So why has the Yin-Yang symbol (in particular the double fish diagram attributed to Chou Tun-yi) been so enduring speaking to so many people? It has survived turmoil and revolution in China and has crossed cultural boundaries to become truly international. Surely the reason must be because in such a simple and concise form, it expresses such great and all embracing profundity.
Day and Night Woodcut by M. C. Escher (Rectangular fields transform into black birds that flg towards the light of day and white birds that fly into the black of night)
Footnote
On a recent visit to China, I came across this variation of the yin-yang symbol. I would be interested to hear if anyone knows anything of the background and origins of this variation.
Bibliography Taoism The Way of the Mystic by J. C. Cooper The Simple Way of Lao Tsze from Shrine of Wisdom Books Tao Te Ching Translation by Gia-Fu Feng The History & Philosophy of Kung Fu by E. C. Medeiros A Beginners Guide to Constructing the Universe by Michael Schneider